Muskegon County school leaders high on local 'Opportunity' plan

MUSKEGON COUNTY — Muskegon Opportunity's mission of creating a "culture of learning" in Muskegon County is being well received by local public school leaders.

Local superintendents are excited about the assistance the proposed program could provide for students in pursuit of post-secondary education.

Local education and business leaders who are part of the group pushing the proposed Muskegon Opportunity cite the need for a college education or post-high school training in pursuit of jobs in the global economy.

The group points to a significant statistic as showing the need for higher education: the fact that only 18 percent of Muskegon County residents over age 25 hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The state average is 25 percent and the national average is 27 percent.

Muskegon Opportunity's three-pronged focus is to: academically and financially prepare all students for post-secondary education or training; provide extra assistance for students most at risk of not completing high school and continuing their education; and establish a last-resort scholarship that will help students pursue college or career training.

Organizers expect the "culture of learning" to be an economic development tool for the county, similar to the boost generated with the Kalamazoo Promise.

Susan Meston, superintendent of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, said the K-12 system's mission fits seamlessly with the Muskegon Opportunity's push to make post-secondary education a priority for high school graduates.

"They have such passion for this," Meston said of the Muskegon Opportunity organizers. "That's how change happens."

"Any time you can put opportunities in front of kids, some who are serious will take advantage of it," Bryant said.

"Whenever an outside group comes in to assist, it shows students it is a priority," Fazer said.

Muskegon Opportunity will work closely with the 12 traditional public school districts through liaisons who have already been identified by each district.

Muskegon Opportunity and school leaders are investigating the recently approved state Promise Zone legislation. A state-designated Promise Zone allows communities to capture a portion of property tax that normally goes to public schools and use it to match private donations for college tuition.

Meston said K-12 school leaders are concerned about the diversion of some money for K-12 funding, but the "concept of the Promise Zone is good."

She said that officials would take a close look at the specifics of establishing a Promise Zone in the county and "if it makes sense, then we would pursue it."